Speared pigeon and shot swan die
Wednesday 23rd September 2009, 11:30AM BST.
A swan and a pigeon have been killed in two savage attacks in Walsall and Wolverhampton.
The pigeon was found in Aldridge with a metal arrow through its body while the swan was shot with an airgun in the neck in Bilston.
RSPCA officials say they believe the wild birds were used for shooting practice and have revealed both would have suffered “painful” deaths.
The dead pigeon was found behind a garden shed in Quicksand Lane in Aldridge. The arrow, thought to be of the type used for archery, had gone in through the bird’s tail feathers and into its body. It is thought the bird had been roosting and had been shot from behind.
The swan was attacked by someone brandishing an air gun at the canal off Ladymoor Road in Bilston.
When RSPCA officers arrived at the scene the swan was very ill with a severe injury to its eye. It was rushed to the vets but died after it was discovered it had been shot in the neck.
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
It amazes me how stories like underfed dogs and dead pigeons make the news, it is as though the people in this country care more for the lives of animals then the lives of fellow human beings.
Nothing is done to help the millions of human beings around the world starving to death, they don’t even make the news. We don’t hear of the hundreds of thousands left murdered in Iraq as a result of Tony Blairs blunder.
I guess it’s acceptable for the homeless and millions of others around the world to go hungry and without food but if you underfeed a pet you are looking at a prison sentence.
Report abuse
Im surprised the Express and Star deem this story as news worthy a this kind of behaviour in a n everyday occurence in Wolverhampton.
I would suggest more reportage of the daily lost battle against serious crime
Report abuse
What great comments from the above people,I care enough about animals to find the story of interest.It shows the type of people we live around these days posting comments like these.Animal suffering is an important issue or are you into dog fighting and other cruel sports?
Report abuse
Well said Stourbaggie
Report abuse
I just cannot believe the ignorance of people like “Paignton Man & Raquel”. Its has clearly been proven that people who show kindness/respect to animals also show the same to humans. This kind of behaviour does deserve coverage – hopefully someone reading the article will know the horrible offenders and contact the relevant people investigating the crime.
Report abuse
Great comments from 1 and 2.
For the others, get with reality.
Kill a pigeon you can face jail, Kill innocent people in third world countries for WMDs they don’t even have, that’s acceptable?
Nobody cares for the homeless, they don’t know where their next meal is coming from but who cares about them, as long as the animals are fed, that’s what counts in this society.
Report abuse
It’s considered okay to kill/shoot rats as they are vermin but shoot a pigeon and the RSPCA is coming for you.
Report abuse
Number 5 – Please show me the study/proof that shows people who show kindness/respect to animals also show the same to humans?
Sounds like you are just talking utter tripe, please show me the evidence for your claim.
Report abuse
Raquel and Paignton Man….these animal torture stories are more relevant than you obviously realise as the links between people who torture and abuse animals for fun, usually turn their attention to harming people…so wind your necks in and look at the bigger picture.
Report abuse
cracking shot with the arrow, just you think where that arrow could have gone if he/she missed 100 or 200 yards down the street into some child, oap.
going onto ladymore pool, well its about time the council stopped people feeding the ducks pigeons rats its a joke to try and walk round there with all the mess off the birds.remember no food no ducks and rats..
Report abuse
What ridiculous newspaper articles. It’s in mans nature to hunt and kill animals, in the same way a cat hunts and kills birds and mice.
It’s built in to us so we can survive, mans natural instincts.
I regular shoot rabbits, pheasants and deer all for food mind you, not for sport. Cannot beat the taste of meat you have hunted and killed yourself, the freshest meat you can get, not that supermarket stuff thats been on the shelves for who knows how long.
Report abuse
Great post Ray, people love to eat meat but the majority are unable to kill the meat they eat. They are happy to eat meat killed by other people.
Got to keep the animals well-fed like the kentucky tortured chickens that are fed so much, they are no longer able to walk and spend the rest of their days wriggling in their own excrement.
Report abuse
Dee – These stories are not more important then homeless that often go without food for days at a time. Why do some people try and raise the status of animals above that of fellow human beings?
Surely we should take care of our fellow man first? The homeless that die through starvation, poor diet etc don’t even make the news. Anyone forget these, just keep stuffing your animals.
Report abuse
So its ok to main a pigeon because its a pigeon or vermin?!!!
And…can I just ask this to the ones who are dismissing this is not newsworthy, when was the last time any of YOU did anything to HELP the homeless, needy, 3rd world issues, help prevent local crime????????
Maybe its YOUR kids out there on the street shotting pigeons and killing swans! Nice!
Report abuse
It’s only a matter of time until animals are awarded the same rights as humans by the do-gooder nutters that are popping up everywhere.
Report abuse
I agree with Raymears. Soon the cats hunting mice will be put on trial for GBH for attacking and torturing birds and mice.
Report abuse
Dee, so it’s not okay to kill a pigeon but what about the hundreds of thousands of chickens slaughtered for KFC? What about the hundreds of thousands of cattle slaughtered for McDonalds?
No-one mentions these deaths but 1 pigeon death and people cannot believe anyone could be capable of such a thing? Maybe we can raise some funds through the local community and build a memorial in honour of the pigeon.
What’s wrong with people these days? Are they all brainwashed?
Report abuse
Pigeon pie anyone?
Report abuse
People who are evil use animals for target practice. They then move on to children then to adults.
We should be concerned about these animals because their murderer will soon move onto bigger targets. Many killers have been shown to have started with birds then cats and dogs then young children, etc, etc.
It is also an indication of our society when people do this with alacrity and another indication when others say it lacks importance.
Yes there are worse atrocities elsewhere in the world but until you clean your own step there is little point in cleaning the road outside.
Report abuse
Raquel – like I asked…when was the last time anyone did anything to help their fellow human?? Instead of labelling people who dont like animal cruelty as “do-gooders” try asking yourself why it is RIGHT for you to dismiss animals suffering? Just because people are saddened by this crap doesnt make them do-gooders or uncaring to other humans.
Report abuse
Pigeons are pneumonic carrying vermin anyway-so what!!!! Big deal story
Report abuse
Can’t believe what I’m reading to be honest. So now its ok for us all to go out and shoot innocent animals?
These animals were killed in the most painful way possible, not for food, not even for sport, just for “fun”. Are you seriously telling me that its ok to cause pain and suffering to ANY living being, because its “FUN”?!
Tell you what Raquel, you got kids? I bet you’d mind if someone shot them for a bit of a laugh.
I am fed up of this society I’m living in and to be honest I’m embarrassed to be sharing oxygen with some of you. Disgusting.
Report abuse
Wednesbury Albion – my sentiments exactly.
The sort of moronic comments from some posters here just show the types of people that taint our society. I care about the welfare of animals AND people! This country is going down the pan and it’s thanks to the likes of 1 and 2 et al!
Report abuse
Wednesbury-albion- Whats the difference between sport and fun?? People hunt of fun and kill animals everyday. Don’t think for one moment the animals die happy or painfree no matter what they are shot at with.
Kids are not in the same league as animals so don’t even go there!
Report abuse
Jon – I would rather share my home with any animal than some of the scum youth tainting our society today! Yes, I said it, Animals over some people anyday!
Report abuse
What’s wrong with these people? It’s a pigeon! If it’s such a bad crime to kill a pigeon, how far do we go? Must I watch my step for fear of squishing ants? What about spiders and beetles? Some people need to get out more instead of living in their little bubble world.
Report abuse
Dee – that is the problem with the society we live in, people are brought up to care for animals more than people. Why don’t you go and live in a zoo with the animals you love so much.
Report abuse
24.Jon do you know the difference between hunting and shooting a swan which is a protected bird.You think its fun to shoot them.Your as low as the scum that carried out these acts
Report abuse
Dee if you want to live with animals so much there’s room in my pig-sty but just remember you will be treated the same as the pigs, no special treatment. 14 hours per day eating anything that will enter their mouths, 10 hours per day rolling around in their own waste.
Report abuse
LMAO! Oh my days! Micky and the rest of you who are confused, I do more for people/human race than (I guess) most of you on here…I was NOT brought up to care more for animals, I was brought up with morals and compassion, for people – however, the society I live in has put me off PEOPLE GREATLY which is not my fault. I dont particularly think pigeons are anything but flying germ carriers, but that doesnt mean I agree it is ok to kill them, main them, torture them. Anyway, the point was that the kind of people who enjoy maiming animals for kicks usually turn their attention to hurting people…go figure
Report abuse
28. Stourbaggies, It’s a shame the people of Iraq and Afghanistan are not given the same protection as the precious protected swan.
Report abuse
Raquel said: “Nothing is done to help the millions of human beings around the world starving to death, they don’t even make the news. We don’t hear of the hundreds of thousands left murdered in Iraq as a result of Tony Blairs blunder.”
So you’ve never heard a news story about the death of civilians in Iraq, or that Tony Blair might have been wrong to go to war. Wake up love and stop spouting rubbish. Animal cruelty is legitimate. You can’t compare the death of a pigeon and a swan to a war either. But the cruel deaths of these two birds is still unnacceptable.
Report abuse
People need to stop looking at these birds as birds and start looking at them like food.
Report abuse
Bilstonjay, The news tells of every British and American soldier killed but fails to mention the Iraqi deaths. 212 British soldiers killed, over a million iraqis killed, I certainly have not heard of the Iraqi deaths on the news. You think it’s okay that over a million iraq’s have died because Tony Blair and George Bush fed the public a pack of lies? Are you retarded?
Report abuse
Stourbaggies-Its not swans that i mentioned-Its vermin pigeons. Hunting is the same no matter how you dress it up. Its killing something thats alive even if it is protected.
Most of you are correct about the fact we care more for these animals than the humans being killed at war. Thats the sad fact DEE! They use Birds of prey to keep the pigeons down in london-Perhaps they should use members of the local archers clubs and let them have some fun after all we wouldn’t want to endanger or hurt our birds of prey. You never know a pigeon might bite it ha lol!
Report abuse
Where do I say that it’s OK that 1m Iraqi’s have died? I was referring to the fact we DO here on the news about the Iraqi deaths and Tony Blair’s mistakes. Re-read my original comment and then respond properly. Calling me retarded after making such a poor response yourself, is in itself very retarded.
Report abuse
Well i am sure the superpowers are trembling in their boots at the grass roots hardnosed anti war protestors bravely upsetting the status quo by hanging around the comments section on a regional newspaper website, making fatuous misinformed remarks about the Iraq war on totally unrelated stories.
Last i heard there hadn’t been heavy small arms fire on the streets of Wednesbury as Allied forces and Insurgents clashed in a series of roadside skirmishes.
I think i shall now go to the report on last nights Wolves Carling Cup tie and demand why local newspapers cover local news such as this and fail to mention the Aids pandemic sweeping Darfur.
Idiots.
Report abuse
What have a swan and a pigeon got to do with the Iraq and Afghan wars?.If you wannt to discuss this find another forum.All I am saying is it is cruel to kill birds for fun which some mindless people on here seem to think is ok,and should not get a mention in the press.
Report abuse
Depends on the animal really. Sport is fun, and sport involves killing. Stourbaggie- i dont agree with the swan-but the pigeon-well thats just vermin and we should employ a whole bunch of archers to keep the skys clear of them.
This debate wouldn’t be going on if it was a dirty great rat or mouse that had been trod on!
Report abuse
The police should put the culprits in prison!
Report abuse
Thats why this country is on its a***! We are saying its abit cruel for someone to happily maim 2 birds, but people bring 3rd World Poverty, homelessness and now the War into it! Can’t keep on track us Brits! Oh and I would still be having this debate if it was a rat, squirrel, cat, dog etc!
Report abuse
Excellent post jon.
Report abuse
Dee-Hope theres no dirty great rats in your home tonight. It would be cruel to exterminate them. After all they have a right to live as well. Sounds like they could live in harmony with you anyway!
Report abuse
Number 38 – It’s putting matters into perspective.
Report abuse
Dee I would just like to know how far you would go, do you feel the same about insects? What about spiders?
Report abuse
Andy, yep, dont see the point in killing insects either! And Jon, if rats entered my home I would sort the problem out, humanely, not torture them! you really are dumb!
Report abuse
I would just like to add, there is nothing worse than seeing grown adults jumping on chairs when a Spider enters the room!!!! Absolutely pathetic!
Report abuse
Andy what are you talking about? Spiders and insects are not animals, they are not living beings.
Report abuse
Number 37, Bummer of George, I’d be angry too if I was a Wolves fan.
WBA
Report abuse
raquel you talk utter tripe these harmless creatures that cannot defend thereselves are killed everyday by mindless thick scumbags who find it funny to put an crossbow through a swans neck while it swims along a canal minding its own bussiness or shooting birds and other wildlife these are not hunters these lowlife are garbage and you saying and almost condoning this behavior says a lot about you get a life
Report abuse
Yeah humanely Dee like hunters do to deer with a small entrance hole and half its neck ripped out. Like rats do when they are electrocuted with a big stick or are poisioned and role around in an agonising death. You all love to moan about how animals die when its seen as cruelty and forget about it when it becomes your sport How many fishermen kill fish every year with their hooks? You people pick and choose whatS right and wrong when it suites your purpose.
Dumb or just Dumber I know people who treat animals as if they are humans-they are the dumb ones when they put animals over humans and children!!
Report abuse
49, Carly, I’m not a Wolves fan,you spectacularly missed the point,are you a fully diagnosed simpleton or just an enthusiastic amateur?
Report abuse
matthew longhurst, It’s in mans nature to hunt and kill animals, built into our genes. It’s how our ancestors survived for many thousands of years.
Even if we don’t eat them, what’s wrong with killing a few for sport? I assume you were raised in the city buying your meat from the supermarket, I on the other hand was raised to hunt and kill my meat, rabbits are a personal favourite. You should try killing your own meat, skinning it and then cooking it, there’s nothing barbaric about it, it’s normal, stop thinking of animals as people. They are food to eat.
Report abuse
Number 50 (Matthew) well said.
To all the idiots that seem to think it,s ok to go around shooting what they like, when they like & where they like let me point out one thing. If the scum that took these shots had have missed their intended targets the projectile would have continued it,s flight & may have hit just about anything. That is why laws exsist that prohibit the discharging of a firearm of any kind in public places.
The first rule of shooting is to consider where the projectile will terminate it’s flight before you pull the trigger. So please do not try to compare these scumbags with people who know what they are doing with a weapon in their hands.
It is not the pigeon that is vermin it is the scum that did the shooting who are vermin & will probably bullying your kids or mugging your granny next week because they can only attack the defenceless.
Report abuse
Get lost longhurst, no. 50, you are the idiot that primted this worthless report simply to raise a reaction from the readers. Shame on you!
Report abuse
Stories like this, and the comments condoning such acts are yet more evidence of just how terrible an area the Black Country is to live these days. Gutter scum are allowed to proliferate, and the decent are shouted down.
Report abuse
CT Baggie – well said! Cant believe the thicko’s on here are comparing animal abuse to hunting. and Middle England could not agree more.
Report abuse
I can’t believe people are equating the suffering in Iraq, a totally unrelated issue, to the deaths of these birds. Both are wrong and awful but people are using any news story to comment on any news story. A bit like Peter Rhodes, people are just spouting non sequiturs and drivel that means nothing. Only proving that a lot of people commenting are fools.
Report abuse
swans do nothin but beg for food then where you dare to get close to feed em they rear up and spread there wings to try to intimidate…plus theyre a nuisance to my fishing!!! pidgeons are just a flying form of rat….noisy scavenging rats! get a grip people
Report abuse
53″It’s in mans nature to hunt and kill animals” are you a cave dweller other wise known as Fred Flintstone.
Report abuse
So whats the difference Dee with animal abuse or hunting? Ever seen a fox hunt? Is that hunting or abuse? Ever seen a deer shot? Ever seen the exit wound? Hunting is cruelty but its accepted because its classed as sport. What you see in this news article is also cruel and abuse. Theres really no difference its just that when its your sport it becomes an issue and hunting then becomes the acceptable!!
Report abuse
Jon, you are trying your hardest to try and trip me up…the short and tall of it is I HATE all forms of animal abuse, torture, cruelty etc and yes I am against any form of hunting. The only difference between hunting and mindless torture is one is done in a “controlled” manor (so they claim) and the other is just “done”.
I dont condone any form of cruelty, we could have this discussion for ever, but you will just have to accept I am against it and you, well you just seen to want to talk about exit wounds and other pointless dribble!
I have been undercover on many issues to see for MYSELF what goes on, I have been on hunts with hunters and with sabs, I have been in abattoirs, pet shops, farms you name it. So if you would like to talk about exit wounds, slaughter or anything else let me know but this was a story about a pigeon and a swan that were abused with alot of people condoning it. End of.
Report abuse
So dorkovski it’s all about you is it. It effects YOUR fishing. I wonder how many swans you’ve killed with your hooks and lead weights? But then why would you care if you are on your way home with your fishy harvest.
Report abuse
Dee are you against torture of head lice? Are you against genital critters? Surely these are entitled to just as peaceful a life as you and I? Is it wrong to kill them? Or should we breed them?
Report abuse
Swans are almighty, we should pray to them.
Report abuse
Lee Hickman – fleas and head lice serve no purpose to anyone or anything so I wont be holding any protests for them.
Report abuse
Pigeon excrement causes diseases..FACT, thats why they are classed as VERMIN. Funny this, as you cannot disturb a nesting pigeon.
I think the killing of a swan is despicable, but a pigeon that spread disease such a pittacosis (sorry for the spelling) and parrot flu (dont know the proper name)..is within reason.
Report abuse
I killed a pigeon only the other day.It walked under my front wheels whilst parking in town.It made a loud popping sound.
Will i be prosecuted for killing vermin by the animal cops ?
Report abuse